NBA WORK STOPPAGE "BECOMES A POSSIBILITY;" TALKS BREAK DOWN

NBA officials admitted yesterday that a work stoppage is
possible next season as discussions with the NBPA over a new CBA
have broken down, according to Frank Hughes of the WASHINGTON
TIMES. NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik: "Obviously, if we
don't have a deal at some point, a work stoppage becomes a
possibility. Both sides recognize that's not something we want
to happen." Granik and NBA VP of Operations Rod Thorn both cited
a stalemate and said no further talks are scheduled (WASHINGTON
TIMES, 5/30).
GET UP, STAND UP: In New York, NEWSDAY's Rob Parker writes
that a strike may be necessary since NBA owners "have been
robbing players blind for years" and they aren't in "a rush to
change things." Parker contends the "players have to be serious
about carrying out a work stoppage if the owners don't want to
negotiate in good faith." Parker takes the league to task for
its sharing to total revenue. He points out that the "big money-
making NBA licensing and lucrative corporate suites aren't
included" in total gross revenues, of which the players get 53%
(N.Y. NEWSDAY, 5/28). In Dallas, David Moore writes that Stern
likes "to point out the NBA has never lost a single game to a
strike. Of course, the league and its Players Association have
never gone this long without an agreement." Moore labels as
"significant" Stern's admission that a work stoppage is possible
(DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/28).